Photographer's Note

PORTRAIT OF A NATURAL BLOND

Digressing from the usual fare of images Ive been posting at TrekEarth lately, I am submitting the portrait of the miniature beauty with natural blond hair. For those who are especially interested in shooting portraits  of adults or children  I would like to present a pair of discoveries that were made within the last ten years. The discoveries  principles  pertain to painted portraits, but they also apply to photographic portraits.

THE CENTERLINE PRINCIPLE

First, discovered by Christopher Tyler, English born psychologist and art lover practicing in San Francisco, California, in most single-subject portraits created by the masters  including Leonardos Mona Lisa and the Lady with an Ermine; Rembrandts psychologically charged portraits; and even Picassos portraits such as the Dora Maar  the vertical centerline passes through one eye of the subject. This is a principle that was never taught in art schools, but the most talented painters seem to have focused on one eye of their subject. Dr. Tylers discovery was important enough to make the front page of the New York Times in 1998.

PRINCIPLE OF THE LEFT CHEEK VS THE RIGHT CHEEK

Second, it has been known for a century that there is a greater preponderance of subjects showing their left-cheeks in distinction to their right cheeks. But the tantalizing question has always been, Is it the artist deciding which way the subject should face, or is it the subject of the portrait deciding? This question was satisfactorily answered in 1999 by the young Australian professor of psychology, Mike Nicholl, and his discover also made the New York Times. Professor Nicholl addressing a large group of students in an auditorium, informed them that their portraits were going to be produced. Then he separated the group into two equal halves, where they could not hear further directions given to the other group. To the first group he posited, Your portrait is going to be produced, framed and hung on the walls of a loved-one  a parent, a boy or girl friend. Those who put their left cheeks out prominently significantly outnumbered those putting their right cheeks out. The he told the second group that their portraits were going to hang next to that of Albert Einstein. This time, it was the right cheeks that were favored overwhelmingly.

Dr. Nicholl and his associates gave a simple but compelling explanation. The right brain is the hemisphere where we emote. And if we want to be endearing, we put out our left cheeks, controlled by the right brain. We do mathematics in the inferior parietal lobe on the left hemisphere of the brain, just above the ear. That hemisphere controls the right cheek. Accordingly, if we want to appear especially intelligent, we reflexively turn our right cheeks. Moreover, males and females showed the same preferences.

In February of 2000 I participated in an international conference in Seoul, Korea, on Symmetry in Its Various Aspects: Search for Order in the Universe. As the organizing chairman, I invited both Dr. Tyler and Dr. Nicholl to the conference, along with scholars representing the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, the life and social sciences, as well as art and music. The Principles of the Centerline and the Left-Cheek vs. Right Cheek were expounded beautifully by the aforementioned psychologists. In 2004 in my book, Math and the Mona Lisa, I wrote a chapter with the title, The Eye of the Beheld, The Eye of the Beholder, explaining their respective findings.

The little natural beauty in this photo, 4-5 years old cannot be anything but endearing. She was not posing! I did, however, make sure to photograph and crop her portrait with her right eye along the vertical bisector. This portrait is dedicated to Veronica Gafton (veve) who has produced a number of memorable portraits of children, including this One. (Veronica has intuitively shot that photo according to the center-line principle, which is the way artists function).

This is truly a princess!!! I could go on and on about this one but I won't bore you into a coma :) I love her blonde hair though, and the background. A very 'gentle' portrait with beautiful peaceful colors. TFS This I must add to my favorites!

Hello Bulent,
Interesting theory. My own theory says men show the cheek that belongs to the side where the hairline is less receding. Not sure about women. Very cute model you have. One of your grandkids? Best wishes,
Hakan

Hi Bulent
I read about the rules of photographing and I agree it is good to know them, but not always to proceed according them ;). I like the picture, but especially thanks to the beautiful girl, not composition. I would give a little more at the bottom ;). Besides - great colours and depth of field, a bit lack of light which I like the best :).
Regards

Warm greetings, Bulent!
Such a lovely portrait... Beautifully composed, wonderful soft color and a shade of blond that belongs only to children. I like the soft light and she is a beautiful child. Your note, as always, is excellent! Warmest regards,
Shelly

Hello Bulent. I have heard these theories before about composition of portraits but it's always good to see some different approaches and opinions. I'd say you got the focus and composition down to perfection and as an added bonus the bokeh is quite nice. Very nice job Bulent!

Hello Bulent,
I don't know whether I still can add something new about the superlative qualities of this portrait. She looks like an angel or a fairy from a charmed forest. Your work here is outstanding, the portrait itself is very good, sharp, well exposed and with nice and natural skin and hair tones, and your notes are just excellent, as always.
Warm Regards and Congratulations again.
Stella

It is not often that one reads such an informative, well written intelligent note! Just for the note on itself it will go directly to my favourites!!
As for the picture, yes you did pay good attention to Mr Tyler. A bit on the dark side perhaps, but still a nice portrait!

it's very complete Bulent,
the note is great, but by this portrait I mis the eyecontact with the cameraman, the contours and the light are good, the contrast is nice, all with all a very good study shot, congratiolation Bulent.
gr. jaap

What a gorgeous portrait of this beautiful little girl. Interesting that she has put forward her right cheek, so she must be impressing you with her intellect. :D. You have captured her so naturally while her whole attention was elsewhere. Very interesting note
Kath

Hola Bulent.
Superb portrait of the beautiful blond child, captured with nice natural colors and good POV. Maybe the light is somewhat low but it doesn't change the excellent results of such wonderful composition. Very good instructive note.
Well done. TFS.
Best regards.

Hi Bulent,,I liked those who you for the portrait you said. This picture, shows wonderful small with the natural blonds hairs. So much live and detail that you believe will speak, excellent job congratul,,
Georgios

I was looking twice the name of artist to be sure ,because is a little bit strange to see one portrait-child in your gallery(but now I remember that lovely pirate)This blond angel is so beautiful and her profile so nice.What does she look ?
Thannnks for posting
Hugs

Hi Bulent,
Lovely portrait of a beautiful subject ... well captured. Very good DOF and superb image quality. But I most appreciate was reading your very informative notes. Thank you very much for the knowledge you've given ... very valuable indeed. Excellent composition and notes. tfs
Thank you,
Renier

I found your note very useful with a house filled with artist. Whenever I see something of you, I wonder if you can get any better with your camera. You just proved a point, that no matter how good we think we are we can always try to be better. You really should come to South Africa one day with that camera of yours. Thanks are al I can say.

Hi Bulent
Qute something else this little portrait of the girl - and you notes sure takes into consideration interesting details. Beside of that the result is appealing as for the girls attitude and interaction to be photographed. I am not sure but mistake that a bit more light had worked as well in this particular work - on the other hand we some lots of portraits - painted often under low light conditions..

Hello Bulent Bey,
Wonderful I must say. Superbly well balanced portrait, with superb colors. The sharpness on the little girl ( beautiful), and the use of the blurred background is superb. USTA ISI.
Best personal regards. Salvator.

Fantastic portrait of an angel. I can not imagine a better way to present such a beauty. Equally impressive is your extremely interesting note. I can not express my gratitud to you, who share this kind of precious knowledge with us!

Hi Bulent,
Excellent portrait of this lovely child as she is seen in an innocent gaze not looking at the camera. The green background makes an excellent contrast to her blonde tresses. The colors are soft and warm with gentle details to this future heartbreaker. In rural America a natural blonde is none as a toehead.
Regards, Tom

An angel on earth.
The picture which the most of us we have in our brain, how the angels look like, is exactly like her.
Great portrait Bulent. I really can not stop to see it.
I like very much the diagonal placement of her into the frame.
Very interesting your note too.
Warm regards
Kostas

Indeed not usual a portrait in your gallery.
Also here you should the title innocent can use, what a wonderful image certainly through the perfectly light and the long blond hair, this lovely.
Very well done Bulent. TFS.

what a graceful portrait. It's always nice to check those child photos since they are naturals in their expression. Great crop and and dof. Lovable image. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos
PS: thanks for your kind words on my "Love Is in The Air" post.

Hello dear Bülent,
A little angel... A wonderful portrait to illustrate the insightful note.
Take this short critique as a compliment; I just don't know what to write about this lovely portrait.
Regards, José.

dear bulent,
a naturally perfect little blonde like the one you're picturing here, could make any photographer's work seem like a piece of cake - but not any photographer would have the technical knowledge as you're presenting it in your note - thanks for sharing it with us!
dora

Your note is as always wonderful, thoughtful, and "useful" - in the best sense of that word. My favorite thought on it is how we get to share her wonder by not knowing what she is looking at. Very nice.

A very nice shot Bulent. The girl's face is evenly lit and there are no distracting hot spots. By using the cenreline technique she has more room in front of her face than behind her suvh that it is akin to something like the Golden Median Rule. I need a children's shot for an assignment can I borrow this one? Just kidding!!Well done.
Phil

this is a angel...i´m sure of this :)
so sweet. i love it
i see many of this angels around iceland ..and most of all blonds :) but i´m shy to take pictures of...when i see a great portrait like this one ,i always promise myself i will try also
great shot
and thanks for the note also
best regards,anes

I did not venture on this kind of exercise yet but that tempts me. I do not doubtless dare and maybe fear of disturbing. But at any case this portrait is surperbe and I like very much the glance of this girl. The quality of the photo is magnificent of a beautiful sharpness. The background vegetable well highlights its attractive fair hair. Thank you still for this very instructive note as usual. Well observed, bravo Bülent.

Hi Bulent. What a surprise to see this portrait eter your gallery. Simple and emotive. Your notes as always are a goldmine of useful information. Good natural lighting and excellent placement and balance. TFS. Murray.

Hi Bulent,
it's longtime I don't visit you. This picture is wonderful, but what I like more is the note! Thank you for explaining us. Btw I bought your book, but alas I did not have time to read it yet...
Best regards
Marica

A beautiful portrait of the cute little girl. The softness in it is wonderful. You have presented a nice picture which made my day brighter. I have done a WS, just adjusting levels, and applying a little unsharp mask. Then added a frame. Hope you will not mind that.

Hello Bulent,
a delicate and gentle portrait. She looks very intent and intelligent with her serious eyes contrasting with those rosebud lips. Beauty and intelligence...gifts from the Gods! I have read about the centreline principle before from your previous notes. Interesting idea and I must try to remember this for the future.
regards
Bev

The portrait in itself is very nice, with a completly natural posture.
I have also read you note with lot of interest, but also with my usual skepticism regarding the usual tendency of scientists to try to rationalize verything including Art.
But I admit this is a very good note, even if I remains a bit skeptical.

Hello Professor A
A portrait of exceptional quality, the softness is so 'rich', especially in this low light. I wish I can give you two smileys, one for the picture & the other for the note.
With Warm Regards
Angshuman

one good thing about being away from TE for a while is that I come back to an abundance of images from which I can choose; though this type of shot, i.e. children, is not one I normally comment on probably due to the society we live in today where everything is so PC and where we have to be careful where we point our cameras. Having said all that this is an endearing image made so by her cherub like face and her curly golden locks, it could maybe do with a slight adjustment on the levels but it's still a fine, natural capture and, as always, the note is very informative. As for left cheek, right cheek....I think I'm a left cheek man myself as I don't believe I'm that intelligent and you know what they say? ... 'you can't kid a kidder!'

Warm regards to you Bulent my friend, your photographs and your wonderful notes have enthralled me all year and I wish you and your family a great holiday season.

Ciao Bulent,
among the whole beautiful photos of your gallery, today I have chosen this, because the expression of this child has a stupendous sweetness. You have known how to take the correct moment, and this is the thing most important for a good photographer as you. Really marvellous. Bravo.
Regards
Paolo.

What an awesome portrait. It reminds me of a film shot - digital portraits seldom get this quality of skin tone. The light is extremely soft and forgiving (not that this young lady needs forgiving lighting - but I've shot a few portraits in the past where I'd have killed for it). You're spot on about Veve's portraits.

An excellent and highly informative note as ever. There's a debate on the Forums page on this ery subject and I think notes can help make a good image better and a great image extraordinary - like this one.

Hi Bulent
Splendid portrait you did here of this little girl. You captured in a spectacular way the naturalness and innocence that are characteristic true of the childhood. Well done. Best Regards, Consuelo

Hello Bulent,
When I first saw your portrait I immediately thought about all of the great art galleries that I have visited. Your wonderful portrait embodies all of the elements that great portrait images entail. This photo is almost like taking the best components of centuries of fine art portraiture and creating a simple "mosaic". I have so many photographers tell me that the subject always needs to make eye contact, but great artists have known otherwise. As far as your excellent and well researched comments go, my contention is that humankind will unlock the mysteries of the universe before we understand our own complex, yet fragile psyche. Fabulous portrait and very impressive commentary. Well done!
Stan

Lovely child and portrait. I find your notes on the principles relating to portraits interesting, and I tried to match them to one of the child portraits that I recently took, and will be posting. Seems that the principles work for me too!! :)